HEC launches roadshow on new research framework

Show educates researchers on applying for different grants

ISLAMABAD: The apex higher education body of the country has launched a roadshow to spread awareness amongst faculty members and researchers in the country about its new research and development (R&D) framework.

In this regard, the first event was organised at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat in Sector H-9, Islamabad, on Monday. Over 150 faculty members and researchers from different universities of the twin cities attended the event.

Faculty members and researchers were educated about various components of the framework. They were motivated to draw maximum benefits from various funding opportunities. It also aims to give them advice and guidance on applying for different grants.

The main programmes of the framework include Grand Challenge Fund (GCF), Local Challenge Fund (LCF), National Research Programme for Universities (NRPU), Innovative and Collaborative Research Grant (ICRG) and Technology Transfer Support Fund (TTSF).

Speaking during the inaugural session, Research and Development Director General (DG) Dr Zainul Abdin said that the HEC is trying to promote academic and applied research culture in higher education institutions to address significant societal issues and boost international research for a sustainable and progressive research ecosystem in the country.

He said that academic research is a key element for the growth of the higher education sector. It is also key to knowledge creation and building strategic partnerships.

“In a middle-income country like Pakistan, innovative and highly-skilled researchers are an asset and HEC wants to indulge all researchers in the newly launched programmes through a competitive process.”

The DG also informed the audience that a rigorous and transparent peer-review evaluation mechanism involving foreign evaluators, external reviews and review panels is being developed to overrule any chance of bias or concerns based on conflict of interest while awarding grants.

World Bank’s Senior Science and Technology Specialist Dr Graham M Harrison, briefed the audience about funding aspects through World Bank.

The roadshow will move to Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta in the next few weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2019.